Thoughts on Oleg Maskaev?

A talented fighter who had very bad management in a time when nearly all high profile fighters had good management.

His opponent for his pro debut had a record of 21-0-0 (15) ! I can't think of any other heavyweight in history doing that, and winning by 3rd round knockout. 10 fights later he's shared the ring with McCall, Tua and Steward.

He does have a weak jaw however, and that caused him to lose his share of fights. His career should've been over 2002 when he suffered another knockout loss against Corey Sanders (not the Klitschko one). But he made an improbable comeback by beating Hasim Rahman (then the #2 heavyweight in the world) for the WBC title. His comeback road was filled with mediocre fighters until he got his shot, but then again, so was Foreman's. The point is that they delivered when they had to.


So, all in all a fine fighter, but not a great one.

 

Mediocre chin fighting a iron chinned opponent = asking for trouble.

Hence the Sander's loss.

Ask Wladimir about that with his loss to Brewster, or even Puritty.

 

Whats the reason behind the two year layoff after his first fight?

 

That's a very good question and one that I've been wondering for a long time. Perhaps a wikapedia search might uncover something - though not always the best source. I'm wondering if his service in the Russian army had something to do with it.

 

Also, Maskaev had just as much heart and grit as anyone.

When he fought Courage he ended up with broken ribs, and Courage didn't exactly let up on the bodyshots. Oleg still won.

 

Good punch, but glass chin and zero recuperative abilities.

 

A decent fighter who did some things well but nothing grear

 

The general consensus here seems right.

I'll add that he exceeded his expectations and achieved more than most HWs with a shaky chin.

 

Going by his last fight, he definately was not impressive.
He sucked against Sam Peter who has below average skills to say the least.

 

I don't think we can fairly judge him by looking at the Peter fight. Maskaev was 39 years old. He was off for some 16 months prior to that fight - much of which he spent recovering from back surgery. He lost badly to Peter, but also landed some very big shots early that could have just as easily resulted in an early KO win.

 

Maskeav was too old to rate in the Peter fight. I think Maskeav should be remembered a solid top ten type of fighter, and average alphabet champion who scored some spectular knockouts with his big right hand.. Maskeav’s come back after being Ko'd into oblivion, and switched styles from brawler to boxer. Improving his defense at his age was impressive.

Chin and stamina held him back. If you get the chance, watch Tua vs Maskeav. Maskeav had a prime Tua him beat until he ran out of gas late. If he would have clinched a bit more and slow things down in the final round, the fight would have been his.

IMO, Oleg is a top 100 heavy.

 

Oleg is definitely a top 100 HW (between 90-100)

he had massive power, heart (I mean, to fight the likes of Tua with a chin as bad as his) but was let down by his chin and, as aforementioned, zero % of recupuration abilities.

However, the fact he can punch s hard as he can AND do it against decent opponents means H2H he is a match for some, not many, but some, ATG HW's. Couldn't see him beating the likes of Lewis, Ali, Holmes etc etc but he'd have to be ranked H2H against Patterson and the smaller guys.

In terms of resumu he isn't awful, but he isn't great. His early career was a bit inconsistent, but no doubt he always gave it his best shot.

Not a big fan by any means but have to give the man his dues.

Apparently B-Hop was going to move up to HW and challenge him after the Tarver fight!!! Who would've won, great chin small man against awful chin but BIG puncher....I think Hop would've boxed rings around this version of Maskaev and beaten him on PTS.

 

Not according to official judges. He was ahead only on one scorecard after the 10th round, one was even, and one had Tua ahead.

 

Judges were wrong then. Maskaev was clearly ahead.